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What is Cholesterol

Myths About Cholesterol

There is nothing like "good" cholosterol and "bad" cholesterol. Cholesterol is needed by our body, but any excess cholesterol is bad.

Cholesterol is a normal part of your blood. It is a yellow waxy substance that can be obtained from food we eat (exogenous) and that is made by our liver (endogenous). Cholesterol is essential to our body. Among other things, it makes cell membranes and hormones. Excess cholesterol collects on the walls of the arteries in the heart and other areas of the body. These deposits are called plaque. Plaque causes narrowing in the blood vessels. We refer to this narrowing as "obstructive coronary artery disease."

Lipoproteins

When you have your blood checked for cholesterol, your physician orders a "lipid profile." Cholesterol is one type of lipid or fat in your body. Triglycerides are another type of fat. Both cholesterol and triglycerides need a protein package to carry them in the bloodstream (since both of them do not dissolve in water). The combination of fat and protein is called a lipoprotein.

The main types of lipoproteins are low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).

• LDL is considered the "bad" guy. Its function is to transport cholesterol to sites throughout the body for use in repairing cell membranes. Excess LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream is deposited on the walls of the arteries.
• HDL is the good guy. It carries excess cholesterol back to the liver where it is altered and removed from the body. The higher the HDL, the less likely excess cholesterol is deposited on the walls of arteries. Exercise increases the amount of HDL in the blood.
• VLDL is a precursor of LDL and is not factored as a risk factor for heart disease. It seems to correspond to a high triglyceride level.

What should be the Cholesterol Level

The lipid profile, which is done in a fasting state, gives information about the total cholesterol level, HDL and LDL levels, triglycerides as well as a ratio. All numbers need to be looked at to assess overall cardiovascular risk.

So, to Reinforce what we learned: The LDL lipoprotein, a combination of cholesterol and protein, is needed for the body. But its presence in excess can be harmful.

Next: How Can LDL and HDL level be controled.....